Tul'k

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Tul'ks are a strange humanoid race introduced to the Dungeons & Dragons world of Dark Sun in the Monstrous Compendium: Dark Sun Appendix II: Terrors Beyond Tyr. Once a tribe of elves known as the Dune Runners, the tul'ks were mutated into strange new creatures by exposure to the warping magics of the Pristine Tower, and have managed to flourish ever since.

In terms of looks, a tul'k can be summed up as "giant Frazetta Man". As tall as a half-giant (and we mean an old-school half-giant, so that's about 13' tall, size H), they are spindly, hairy figures with ashen gray skin, a dense pelt of black-to-gray hair, elongated arms that end in large, bony hands, tough leathery skin, a Neanderthal-like visage with a low, pronounced brow and large nose, and a boney armored plate covering its scalp.

Tul'ks are a primitive race, barely above the animalisti; they gather in tribes of about 20 souls, consisting of a dominant male and his harem of females, plus younger males who anxiously await the chance to dethrone the alpha. It's actually noted that female tul'ks aren't always faithful to the alpha, but any children born of these unions are exiled upon reaching maturity unless the alpha is stopped by either the child or its mother. Tul'k tribes are shy and retiring, avoiding contact with other humanoids unless their usual resources of game and forage are depleted. They speak a primitive language of grunts, growls and hand-signs, and pursue a nomadic existence within their territories.

One lingering vestige of their former elven identity is a strange racial fascination for gems and jewelry, the only kind of valuables that they are likely to be found possessing. Whilst they do guard these, they won't give up their lives to protect them.

Playing Tul'k

As one of the few humanoid races on Athas who don't regard other humanoids as food by default, it shouldn't be too surprising that fans have tried to convert the tul'k into a playable race, despite their primitive natures.

The Complete Book of Athasian Humanoids for Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 2e offers this profile for playable tul'ks:

Ability Score Minimum/Maximum: Strength 5/20, Dexterity 8/20, Constitution 8/20, Intelligence 5/15, Wisdom 5/20, Charisma 5/17

Ability Score Adjustments: +2 Strength, +1 Dexterity, -1 Constitution, -1 Intelligence, -2 Charisma (note: increase Cha by +2 when dealing with NPCs of the same race)

Racial Class/Level Limits: Fighter 15, Gladiator 12, Ranger 8, Cleric 12, Psionicist Unlimited

Racial Thieving Skill Adjustments: N/A

Natural Armor Class: 6

Movement: 12

Infravision 60'

Advantageous Height: A tul'k gains a +1 bonus to attack rolls when fighting a creature of size H or smaller.

Natural Weapons: A tul'k may make three attacks per round; two hand slams (1d8+1 damage) and one headbutt (1d10 damage, on a natural 20 target must pass a save vs. petrification or be knocked unconscious for 1d4 rounds).

Oversized: Tul'k have the same disadvantages as half-giants; they are penalized when moving or fighting in small areas, double equipment costs due to the need for custom gear, and require 3 gallons of water daily.

In contrast, Terrors of Athas for Dungeons & Dragons 3rd Edition gives them this statblock instead: Terrors of Athas, on the other hand, gives them this profile:

Ability Score Modifiers: +6 Strength, +2 Dexterity, +4 Constitution, +2 Wisdom, -2 Intelligence, -2 Charisma

Size: Large

Space/Reach: 10ft/10ft

Speed: 40ft

Darkvision 60 feet

Racial Hit Dice: 5 levels in Monstrous Humanoid (5d8 HD, BAB +5, Fort +1, Ref +4, Will +4)

Racial Skills: Skill Points equal to 8 X (2 + Int modifier). Class skills are Climb, Search, Spot and Survival.

2 feats

Weapon Proficiency: All Simple Weapons, Tul'k Natural Weapons.

+3 natural Armor Bonus

Natural Weapons: 2 Claws (1d6), 1 Headbutt (1d6 plus Fortitude save vs. DC 15 or be Stunned for 1d4 rounds)

Psi-Like Abilities: 3/day, Manifester level 5th - Graft Weapon, Intellect Fortress, Psychofeedback, Thicken Skin (+2 AC)

Automatic Languages: Tul'l. Bonus Languages: Elven

Favored Class: Fighter

Level Adjustment: +1